| Objective To evaluate the long-term clinical results and the factors that influenced the outcomes of the revision open lumbar discectomy by fenestration.Methods Fifty-one patients who underwent the second open discectomy by fenestration from Janl, 1988 through Dec 31, 1994, were followed for an average of 146.8months (range, 120 to 203 months) . The long-term follow-up results were evaluated by using the MacNab classification and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scoring system through direct examinations and questionnaires. Radiography also was used in patients who agreed to visit the hospital, and findings were compared with those on preoperative radiographs.Results At the final follow-up, with the MacNab classification a excellent and good outcome was achieved in 70.6% of the cases, 78.4% were satisfied with their results. The failure rate was 15.7%(8 patients). Excluding those 8 failed cases who needed another reoperation, the average improvement calculated by JOA scores was 64.6+18.2%. The disc height of the operationsite significantly decreased after surgery, from 8.6± 1.2mm to 5.8 + 0.6mm; nevertheless, this did not affect the long-term clinical outcome. Factors that were associated with a fair and bad outcome included smoking, isolated trauma or injury. Psychosociological signs are probably known as negative predictors of lumbar disc surgery outcome.Conclusion The long-term outcome of the revision open lumbar discectomy by fenestration in this series was favorable. Because the revision operation is typically associated with a higher complexity, selection of suitable surgical candidates and determination of valid indications for operative treatment are very important. JOA scores have proved to be easy to perform for patients and clinicians and standardize subjective data.
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